Book Review: The Art of Public Speaking
| Speaking: The Modi Way (Paperback); Virender Kapoor; Rupa Publications; Pp 176; Rs 195 |
In this book, the author describes how Narendra Modi always appears to speak from the heart; how he uses facts and figures to substantiate his arguments; how he makes optimum use of similes, metaphors and word puns; how he tailors his speeches according to his audience; and his unique ways of packaging and presenting ideas
Khushboo Agrahari
It’s speech and oratory skill that fascinates the audience. Be it the thundering of a great mind like Swami Vivekananda, “Arise! Awake! Stop not till your goal is reached” or the words of Martin Luther, “I have a dream…”, they have been reverberating in the hearts of people till now in the society as a rousing call to wake up human consciousness.
Virendra Kapoor’s book, Speaking: The Modi Way, focuses on the techniques used by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that made him such a great orator. He explained how a common man could become a great orator describing several other such anecdotes from Modi’s speeches.
Trump Revealed; Marc Fisher and Michael Kranish; Simon & Schuster UK; Pp 384; Rs 699 Trump Revealed was reported by a team of award-winning Washington Post journalists and co-authored by investigative political reporter Michael Kranish and senior editor Marc Fisher. Trump Revealed offers the most thorough and wide-ranging examination of Donald Trump’s public and private lives to date, from his upbringing in Queens and formative years at the New York Military Academy to his astonishing rise as the Republican Presidential nominee and now President-elect Mr Iyer Goes to War (Paperback); Ryan Lobo; Bloomsbury India; Pp 224; Rs 399 Mr Iyer Goes to War introduces a bold, witty voice in Indian fiction in this playful, profound tale of love, adventure and friendship. Dispatched to a home in the sacred city of Varanasi, Lalgudi Iyer spends his days immersed in scripture. When an accident leaves him with concussion, he receives a vision of his past incarnation – he was the mythological warrior Bhima, sent from the heavens to destroy evil |
Shri Kapoor analyses, Modi’s speeches so far not only reflect his role as a leader but at times as a mentor visionary and a teacher too. Further he went on explaining that the manner in which he changes his substance, content, body language, citations, pitch and tone according to the audience is something that intrigues the people most. This book describes how Modi emerged as a genuine and honest leader speaking from the heart and connection with each and every speaker is something that we need to inculcate in us from this master craftsman.
New ArrivalsFeroze Gandhi: The Forgotten Gandhi (Hardcover); Bertil Falk; Roli Books; Pp 320; Rs 695 Feroze Gandhi is often remembered as Indira Gandhi’s husband and Jawaharlal Nehru’s son-in-law. But who was Feroze Gandhi? This volume brings to light his significant role as a Selfienomics: A Seriously Funny Guide to Living the Good Life (Paperback); Revant Himatsingka; Bloomsbury India; Pp 196; Rs 299 “Original version of a #selfie: Taking a photo of yourself rather than having someone else take it for you.” And so begins Selfienomics, the first Indian self-help book written for young people by a young entrepreneur who speaks their language. Selfienomics is so funny, upbeat and entertaining, it's not just a must-read but also a mast-read |
Modi is among the few global leaders who have maintained an ongoing interaction with the people even after taking the rein of government. Most leaders don’t think it is necessary to address the people as frequently once they get the top notch post.
Kapoor observes, as a Prime minister he relied on his brilliant oratorical skills to convey not only his vision, his modus operandi and mission but also motivate the Indian masses who had lost faith in the political class who has nothing to offer new that could inspire the audience and create hope.
Spreading into ten chapters, the book addresses how Modi has touched the billions of heart and how Modi built the spirit of service and learnt the value of frugality early on in his childhood. The insights which the author provides in this book can also be gainfully used by anyone who wishes to master his art of persuasion and power of rhetoric. Oratory skill cannot exist in void. Modi’s oratory occurs in the context of leadership. Therefore, this book also covers the leadership and personality traits of Modi and describes Narendra Modi – the master of the moment. Modi has mastered the craft of reaching out to the audience. He can mesmerise the people because he appears genuine. He can win over the people because he speaks with the clarity. Yes, he has mastered the art of delivering the speeches, expressing his visions taking people on different height every time he speaks.
In one of the chapters, it tells how Modi uses logic and rattles off cold facts and figures to present his case and his vision. It examines, how he juxtaposes logic and fact with emotions and rhetoric that can sway public opinion powerfully even when dealing with the most literate and stubborn audiences. His greatest ability is seen as he doesn’t refer to notes, yet he can quote facts, figures and numbers with ease.
He is not only being observed as a good orator but also as a good observer who while addressing the Indian diaspora in abroad utilising opportunities to announce good intentions and show achievements. He has the knack of connecting the dots in a different way. His ways of rattling out in the impactful event have been appreciated in a story format.
Last but not the least, his ability to criticise appropriately, how he delivers a measured response to criticisms even if opposition provokes him. Overall, his packaging and presenting ideas are considered as essential art for good public speaker. Ultimately, a good speaker must attain the
highest level of proficiency to become an excellent orator or to become someone who can convince his audience whenever he or she speaks at the podium. This book shows them the way.
(The reviewer is a journalist)
